Later that day, Gove suddenly appeared beside me on the fire escape, high above the Notting Hill street. He had a habit of sneaking up on you. Ah, Lee, he said, contemplating the incalculable, I see? Mr Gove? I asked, as I felt his hand upon the small of my back, applying gentle pressure.
The leap, Lee. If you were to leap now, Leapy Lee, from this fire escape, what would happen? Id die I think, Mr Gove, I answered, unsure where this line of questioning was going. Perhaps, Gove countered, and experts would agree with you, I am sure. But would it not be thrilling to find out if one could profit from such a bold leap? Theres nothing to find out, Mr Gove, I replied, no one could survive that leap. This is the seventh floor. Was it not our lord Christ, Gove hissed, returning inside, who urged us to consider the lemming. I dont think Christ did say that, did he? Wasnt it consider the lily? What did Gove mean?